LDC has launched a new specialty feed protein line in Tianjin, China, marking its first commercial-scale investment in this segment. The facility will produce fermented soybean meal using data- and AI-assisted fermentation systems to meet rising demand in China's livestock market.
James Zhou
The 11,000 m² production site is located next to LDC’s (Louis Dreyfus Company) existing oilseed crushing facility in Tianjin. Initial output will focus on fermented soybean meal, with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons. This move is part of LDC’s strategy to expand downstream in the feed sector under its Food & Feed Solutions business.
According to James Zhou, Head of Food & Feed Solutions at LDC, this is the company’s first facility dedicated to specialty feed proteins. He said it will enable supply to China’s poultry and livestock industry and support the company’s platform growth. The production uses fermentation technology developed at LDC’s Shanghai R&D Center, utilizing multiple probiotic strains to reduce anti-nutritional factors and improve digestibility and palatability of the soybean meal.
Shengshu Huang
The plant integrates data analytics and AI for real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity and gas levels during fermentation, with predictive tools for quality control. LDC’s CTO for North Asia, Shengshu Huang, noted that the site is designed to expand into other plant-based specialty feed ingredients for livestock and aquaculture. China’s specialty feed protein market is forecast to grow at 7% CAGR from 2026 to 2030.
Louis Dreyfus Company, founded in 1851, operates in over 100 countries across agricultural supply chains.